STRATFORD — Plans to carry free-to-use charging stations for electrical autos to the Dock Buying Heart have hit a roadblock.
The vote got here after fee members and residents expressed concern that the stations, which might have every featured digital shows displaying ads, may current a distraction to drivers and an eyesore to consumers.
Earlier than voting towards the proposal, Chairperson Harold Watson argued the station’s LED shows can be inconsistent with city rules that search to advertise conventional wood-cut indicators over digital ones.
“We’re very clear that visible distractions should not a part of our imaginative and prescient for the city of Stratford,” Watson mentioned.
Volta had proposed putting in two stations close to the BJ’s location at 955 Ferry Boulevard and one other two close to the Cease & Store location at 200 E. Important Avenue. As a part of the applying, the corporate had requested the city to raise its guidelines towards digital messages on indicators.
Every of Volta’s charging stations stand 7 ft tall and have a 55-inch LED show. The ads, which cycle on the display screen each eight seconds, cowl the price of offering free charging classes to prospects.
John Stuckey, vp of public community improvement at Volta, advised the fee final month that the corporate, which already operates 3,000 stations throughout the nation, is aiming to increase.
Volta at present operates 43 stations within the state, however none in Stratford. The closest current free-to-use Volta charging kiosks are in Fairfield and Milford, in accordance with the corporate web site.
“We’re making an attempt to construct the precise infrastructure to satisfy and lead EV adoption, so individuals who would not have the luxurious of residing in single-family properties and having their very own dwelling charger can depend on a public community,” he mentioned.
Barry Knott, an area legal professional representing Volta, argued the shows wouldn’t be seen to drivers since they’d be positioned in parking heaps close to retailer entrances on the purchasing heart.
However fee members had been skeptical of that declare. In the meantime, some residents warned the fee that the video shows would mar the city’s total aesthetic character.
“In an ostensible try to scale back one sort of air pollution, carbon emissions, this software seeks to interchange that with visible air pollution for personal monetary acquire,” Stratford resident Greg Riley mentioned.
The zoning fee voted 4-1 to disclaim Volta’s proposal. Commissioner James V. Vigliotti was the one member to vote towards the movement to reject the applying.
Richard Chumney will be reached at richard.chumney@hearstmediact.com. Observe him on Twitter @RichChumney.
